22 Days Luxury Philippines, Malaysia & Indonesia Cruise - Manila to Darwin

Known as the Pearl of the Orient, Manila is the Philippines's sprawling capital city and a chaotic scramble of intoxicating urban energy. A megacity of culture and creativity, there's a lot to discover amid these chockablock streets. The delicious food wins many fans, but it is the friendly Filipinos - always eager to help - who ensure that Manila takes a special place in the hearts of many visitors. The Baywalk is one of the city's best places for catching a legendarily intense sunset - or wandering among joggers and leisurely strollers. The city's Intramuros area is its cobbled historic core - and was the center of power when the Spanish ruled these lands. Decorated with colonial architecture and citadels, the district is known for its rumbling horsedrawn carriages and storied history. Head to Fort Santiago, which aims canons out across the water from its chunky stone walls. The UNESCO World Heritage Site stands against the odds, despite World War II bombardments, fires, and earthquakes - a true testament to Manila's incredible resilience. As one of the most densely populated places in the world, Manilla can be manically busy at times, but you can always escape to Rizal Park. With Chinese and Japanese gardens and plenty of room for open-air events, it's a beautiful oasis within the city. It's also an incredibly important national symbol, as the location where the hero of independence, Jose Rizal, was executed. A large statue now memorializes him here, and the park was renamed in his honor.

Apo Reef, the world's largest coral reef system, is a breathtaking underwater paradise renowned for its vibrant coral gardens and diverse marine life. Snorkel or dive among colorful fish, sea turtles, and reef sharks in crystal-clear waters, or enjoy scenic boat trips to explore secluded islands and pristine beaches. With its incredible biodiversity and stunning seascapes, Apo Reef offers an unforgettable experience for nature lovers and adventure seekers alike.

Sibuyan Island offers a lush haven of natural beauty and adventure, from the towering peaks of Mt. Guiting-Guiting to pristine beaches and vibrant coral reefs. Enjoy exhilarating hikes with breathtaking views, explore secluded coves perfect for swimming and snorkeling, and immerse themselves in the island’s rich biodiversity. With its untouched forests, diverse marine life, and warm local communities, Sibuyan promises a memorable escape into one of the Philippines’ most pristine and captivating islands.

Donsol is renowned worldwide for its incredible opportunity to swim and snorkel with gentle whale sharks in their natural habitat, making it a truly unique eco-tourism destination. Beyond this awe-inspiring experience, explore lush mangrove forests, enjoy peaceful river tours, and learn about local conservation efforts. With its rich marine biodiversity and vibrant community, Donsol offers an unforgettable adventure that combines wildlife encounters with cultural insights and lasting memories of this remarkable region.

Kalanggaman Island is a stunning tropical paradise famous for its exceptionally long, powdery sandbar that appears to float on a sea of turquoise waters. Surrounded by vibrant coral reefs teeming with colorful marine life, the island offers perfect opportunities for swimming, snorkeling, and soaking in breathtaking views of unspoiled nature. Its pristine beaches, crystal-clear waters, and lush scenery create a picture-perfect setting for relaxation and unforgettable photos, making it a truly spectacular escape into one of the Philippines’ most remarkable natural wonders.

Bohol is a captivating island destination renowned for its stunning natural wonders and rich cultural heritage. Marvel at the famous Chocolate Hills, relax on pristine beaches, and explore lush rainforests home to unique wildlife like the tarsier, one of the world's smallest primates. With its blend of scenic landscapes, historic sites, and vibrant local traditions, Bohol offers a memorable and authentic Philippine experience for all who visit.

Days at sea are the perfect opportunity to relax, unwind, and catch up with what you've been meaning to do. So whether that is going to the gym, visiting the spa, whale-watching, catching up on your reading, or simply topping up your tan, these blue sea days are the perfect balance to busy days spent exploring shoreside.

Meet the extraordinary wildlife of Sabah, a place where orange orangutans move through the rainforest and elusive sun bears hide out in the safety of dense canopy. Join the extraordinary animals in rehabilitation centers, where they are lovingly cared for before often being released back into the jungle's interior. Coming face to face with orangutans is a moving experience for many - after all, these animals are some of our closest cousins, sharing 97% of our genetic makeup. You'll also have the chance to encounter one of nature’s more unusual creatures, the bizarre proboscis monkey, named after the bulbous, swinging noses they sport. Sandakan stretches along a scenic bay, looking out over the Sulu Sea. A former trading hub, ships voyaged here seeking riches from the thick jungle, especially sought-after bird nests. Nowadays, the city has found its niche as a major palm oil and cacao exporter. Bridges, creaking planks, and wooden walkways form an elaborate floating maze over the waves at Sim-Sim Water Village. Visit this fishing hotspot to sample some of the succulent local fare, tasting freshly prepared meals like butter prawns, seafood broths, and fried squid snacks. Having served as the British capital of North Borneo, there’s always time for an afternoon tea, to keep you refreshed during your explorations. World War II history hangs heavy around the city’s neck, and Sandakan was heavily shelled during the hostilities when it was occupied by the Japanese. Visit the Memorial Park to learn of the horrifying Sandakan Death Marches, which killed thousands of Allied prisoners of war.

Days at sea are the perfect opportunity to relax, unwind, and catch up with what you've been meaning to do. So whether that is going to the gym, visiting the spa, whale-watching, catching up on your reading, or simply topping up your tan, these blue sea days are the perfect balance to busy days spent exploring shoreside.

Palopo is a municipality in the South Sulawesi Province of Indonesia, with a population of approximately 150,000. The city has an ancient history dating back to its founding in the early 1600s. The port has always had a trade link to the highlands of Sulawesi known as Tana Toraja, and a physical link through a twisting mountain pass making it a perfect gateway to Toraja. The land of Toraja is an ancient and mysterious place where residents adorn their homes with the horns of water buffalo killed in funeral ceremonies and ornate carvings painted in bold reds and black. In many ways the Tana Toraja customs of honoring the dead dictate their ways of life. Human remains rest in stone chambers in the hillsides and burial caves high in the cliffs. Elaborate funeral ceremonies which can take months or even years to prepare can go on for days and can draw hundreds of people in a festival-like atmosphere.

Just when you think you’ve seen it all, a heavenly halo of an island like Pulau Satonda comes along. Appearing like a mirage from the intense turquoise waters of the Flores Sea, Pulau Satonda is an impossibly aesthetic ring of jungle-clad slopes, embracing a volcanic crater of tranquil water. Snorkel the reefs that encircle the island, or strap your boots on to hike up to the ridge. Trek with monkeys scuttling above and trees sagging under the weight of sleeping bats for the best, elevated views of the still interior lake. Formed by the machinations of underwater volcanic activity, the island's central crater dips to a depth of 86 meters. Shrouded in local legend and tradition, Pulau Satonda has many tales to share. It was a close witness to the unimaginable ferocity of Mount Tambora’s wrath, and that ominously beautiful volcano cone is visible from the sandy beaches to the south of the island. Mount Tambora’s fury devastated the entire planet, with the largest eruption in recorded history. The catastrophic explosion caused the Year Without a Summer in 1816, darkening and subduing skies around the world with ash. It’s theorized that a tsunami triggered by the eruption washed a wave of salt water to Pulau Satonda’s previously fresh-water lake. Dip into the refreshing waters, or make an offering on the shore by hanging a stone on a branch. If your wish comes true, you are obligated to travel back to give thanks - but a return trip to a place as beautiful as this is certainly no burden.

Bali. A.k.a. Island of the Gods, Land of a thousand temples, or the World's last paradise. As superlative as these monikers may sound, they do not do justice to the actual reality of the island. Bali is as good as everyone says - verdant mountains with terraced rice fields in one direction, black sand beaches in another, and captivating people that will leave even the most seasoned traveler humbled. If you're looking for a Garden of Eden that really does have everything, Bali ticks all the boxes. The rich and diverse culture of the island is what sets Bali apart from Indonesia's (many) other tropical paradises. The country's estimated 10,000 Buddhist-Hindu temples, with their daily offerings of lotus flowers and fruit, are a testament to the gentleness of the islander's belief. Then there is the vibrant arts and crafts scene, notably in Ubud in the center of the island, but prolific everywhere. Ideal souvenirs to bring back range from gorgeous silver jewelry to intricate wood carvings. Additionally, do try to see a traditional dance if possible, particularly if accompanied to local gamelan music. No one could mention Bali without mentioning the food. Dishes range from elaborate meals to street food bites, but all are without exception ambrosia. Do not miss out on tasting a succulent chicken satay, betutu (apparently the King's favorite meal), and sambal matah. But whatever you decide to discover, you can be assured of a taste sensation that will remain with you long after you have returned home.

Komodo, the volcanic island of giant lizards, lies 320 miles (515 kilometers) east of Bali. Komodo is 25 miles (40 kilometers) long and 12 miles (19 kilometers) wide; its parched hills ascend to a height of 2,410 feet (734 meters). Komodo is home to a community of some 2,000 people who make their living primarily from fishing. The island is the centerpiece of the Komodo National Park, where you will find the most tangible legacy left behind from the Jurassic Era. Komodo Island was little-known and the Komodo dragons were only a myth until the giant lizards were scientifically described in 1912. Extinct almost everywhere else, the island attracts thousands of visitors from all over the world who come to see the Komodo dragons in their natural habitat. Komodo National Park has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Biosphere Reserve. The Komodo dragon's great bulk and weight are its most unique characteristics; even hatchlings average 20 inches (51 centimeters) in length. The adult male can reach 10 feet (3 meters) and weigh up to 330 pounds (150 kilos). Females attain only two-thirds of this size and lay up to 30 eggs at a time. With their saw-like teeth, these fierce creatures can rip apart a deer, goat, or wild pig. The animals have an uncanny sense of smell and are considered among the world's most intelligent reptiles. They are quite agile over short distances and can move swiftly to capture their prey. The Indonesian Directorate of Nature Conservation (PPA) administers Komodo National Park. Park Rangers must escort all visitors; independent exploration of the park is not permitted.

Kalabahi is the capital and main seaport of Alor Island, the largest landmass in the Alor archipelago. Roughly 60,000 inhabitants call Kalabahi home and enjoy a wide variety of goods and services available here. Kalabahi has grown as a town in part because it is situated on some of the only level ground on the volcanic and rugged island of Alor. Inland from Kalabahi is the small traditional village of Takpala. The attractive rustic homes of the village are open and airy, and the Abui people living here harvest, dry, roast, and grind their coffee by hand. The traditional dances and welcome ceremonies express a close-knit society cultivated in this tranquil setting.

Days at sea are the perfect opportunity to relax, unwind, and catch up with what you've been meaning to do. So whether that is going to the gym, visiting the spa, whale-watching, catching up on your reading, or simply topping up your tan, these blue sea days are the perfect balance to busy days spent exploring shoreside.

Australia's capital of the north is a uniquely tropical city, and a historically isolated outpost of this vast, diverse country. Reaching up towards the equator, a full 2,000 miles from Sydney and Melbourne, the city was named in honor of Charles Darwin by the British settlers who established a frontier outpost here. With a unique history, beautiful islands nearby, and a palette of sizzling Pacific flavors, colorful Darwin is an enchanting and exotic Australian destination. Crocodiles patrol the jungled waterways and tropical rainforests around Australia's gateway to the Top End. Explore via airboat to look down on the veiny waterways of the mist-laced Kakadu National Park. The sounds of chattering birdlife and the gentle splash of fountains and waterfalls will fill your ears in George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens. Soak it all in, before kicking back and relaxing with a picnic and a crackling barbecue. The sunshine and famous tropical pink sunsets mean many visitors naturally gravitate to the city's soft sands to relax at spots like pretty Mindil Beach, as evening approaches. The adjoining market is filled with souvenirs and crafts stands and is the perfect place to enjoy some fiery Asian flavors. Stroll the stalls, grab some food, and crack open an ice-frosted beer as the sunset show begins. It may be remote, but Darwin found itself on the front line during the Pacific War, as the Japanese air force unloaded their bombs onto the city in 1942. This relaxed unassuming city has a deeply resilient backbone, however, and you can explore the museums to learn more of the war's impact on Darwin, as well as the devastating effects of one of Australia's worst natural disasters, Cyclone Tracy in 1973.

Itineraries are subject to change.